CNF

The shift from dial-up to broadband fundamentally changed business models and value chains, moving the UK’s socio-economic boundaries. With the onset of ‘Next Generation Broadband’ superseding broadband, reasonable expectations exist of an impact equal too if not greater than the first.

The transformational impact that ‘Next Generation Broadband’ could have on the economy and society as a whole is matched only by the vibrancy of the debate concerning how we get to this superfast future. This meeting will attempt to unpick the conundrums and address the questions associated with the impact of Next Generation Broadband.

Who is speaking?

• Antony Walker, CEO, Broadband Stakeholder Group
• Tim Cull, Telecoms Policy Director, Motorola
• Nigel Hartnell, Executive Director, FFastFill Plc

Further info…

The recent Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG) report, 'A Framework for Evaluating the Value of Next Generation Broadband', identified savings of up to £620m pa for SMEs in the UK as a result of new methods for IT service provision, enabled by a widespread transition to NGA.

But how will this happen, and what might it mean for SMEs in reality? How will widespread availability impact the behaviour of clients and consumers? What are the implications for those businesses that may be unserved by a commercial deployment of NGA? What are the alternatives, and what might it mean for the competitiveness of UK technology? These are key questions for businesses as the UK heads towards a superfast broadband future that will be addressed and debated at this meeting.

Cost assumptions related to Next Generation Broadband deployment in the UK have most recently been set at around £28bn. Taking into account this large expense to be incurred in fibre deployment, who exactly will fund this must be questioned. Whilst final funding options remain out of reach for now, strategic decisions regarding fibre adoption into planning by businesses models can be taken.

Questions to be addressed:

• What is the Value of Next Generation Broadband?
• What impact is it going to have on the UK economy and society?
• Who will fund the deployment of NGA? Is there an ‘option value’ in waiting?
• How much disruption is NGA implementation likely to have?
• What effect will an uneven distribution have?
• What government policies are in place?

Why should I attend?

Opinions for and against NGA adoption are evidently wide and varying. Analysts have questioned whether resultant benefits will outweigh costs incurred at deployment at all. Alternatively there may be an ‘option value’ in waiting, or an advantage in implementing business strategies based upon quick deployment now. This meeting will help you to understand the larger issues surrounding NGA, alongside the more detailed affects and options that you should be considering.

Who should attend?

• Managing Directors
• Business Development Managers
• Finance Directors
• Internet Service Providers
• SMEs

Please remember that the Intellect Conference Suite is wireless enabled so you can network, catch-up on emails and do your 'last minute' calls from Russell Square House, with full access to printing and refreshments before the meeting.